About The Adrien and Martin Joly Blog

Brothers Adrien and Martin follow in the footsteps of many travelers who crossed the Balkans from antiquity to modern times. But they do it by bicycle! Starting on October 6, they have given themselves one month to cycle the nearly 2,100-kilometre distance between Venice and Istanbul. In their blog, they reflect on and document their journey as they travel through Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Turkey.
Their blog in French is at http://balkansavelo.unblog.fr/

From Gravina to Atella

November 07, 2008 • Comments Montenegro

The nice retired tennisman has prepared a breakfeast for us, a nice way to start the journey.

He has two sons of the same age, that could explain why is so happy to help us.. We thank him and manages to leave quite early. We head off to Spinazzolla, and from there we are able to use a little road… The geomorphology of the lanscape is becoming slightly more hilly..

Before Venosa, we stop for our lunch and cook some pasta in some vineyard, without forgetting to eat a few wine grapes.

We stop at Venosa, a lovely little town, where a crowd of italians ask us many questions and comments on ourselves “que Bravi!”.

A few miles after Venosa, some italians workers are actively working on the road. We are very tempted to behave like the Vitelloni of Fellini…

But we dont'.. And quite wisely, as my chain breaks again a few miles later…. Thank you Shimano Deore!

Fortunately, we are well equipped, and it takes me a few minutes to fix it.

Hands are very dirty, but with a bit of oil, one can get rid of the dirty grease, it works very well.

We can carry on, we cross some lovely landscape. We can see we are getting closer and closer to the mountains.

As it is getting late, we decide to stop before the big pass. We stop and ask hospitality to a winegrower who nicely offer us to stay in his warehouse.

We can make a bed with some sand bags..